Content distribution system and method for optimizing multiplexed transport channels

ABSTRACT

A content distribution system includes a distribution center, a processor, a switch, and first and second multiplexers. The distribution center receives and applies program content on program channels. The processor identifies subsets of the program channels in response to a respective score associated with the program channels. The switch couples the distribution center to the multiplexers. The switch applies program channels to respective inputs of the first and second multiplexers in response to the processor. A method for optimizing a multiplexed transport channel includes the steps of identifying a set of program channels designated for distribution via the multiplexed transport channel, arranging the set of program channels in subsets, the program channels within a subset grouped in accordance with a viewing score, multiplexing the program channels of the subsets to a respective transport channel and applying the respective transport channels to a distribution medium for delivery to the destination.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to the field of multimedia distributionsystems. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a multimediaprocessing system and method for intelligently optimizing multimediatransport channels.

2. Description of the Related Art

Multimedia service providers use communication systems that delivermultiple program channels to subscribers of the respective service.Program channels include content from local television and radiostations, national and regional networks, governments, movie providersand advertisers, among others. Program content is limited only by theimagination of the creator(s). Community antenna television (CATV) andsatellite service providers generally offer packaged services, whichinclude a set of program channels that are provided in return for asubscription fee.

Prior art systems for distributing multiple program channels tosubscribers use a combination of signal processors, multiplexers andmodulators to deliver multiple program channels in a transport channel.A prior art system for broadcasting multimedia signals is illustrated inFIG. 1. The system receives program channel 1 through program channel108 that are inserted into corresponding MPEG encoders, multiplexers andmodulators to generate a transport channel that includes the encodedprogram information from a subset of the various channels.

In the illustrated embodiment, program 1 is applied to MPEG encoder 11,multiplexer 21 and modulator 31 to provide the first of eight programchannels in transport channel 41. Similarly, program 2 is applied toMPEG encoder 12, multiplexer 21 and modulator 31 to provide a second ofeight program channels in transport channel 41. Lastly, program 8 isapplied to MPEG encoder 18, multiplexer 21 and modulator 31 to providethe eighth of eight program channels in transport channel 41. Inaddition, program 101 is applied to MPEG encoder 61, multiplexer 71 andmodulator 81 to provide the first of eight program channels in transportchannel 91. Similarly, program 102 is applied to MPEG encoder 62,multiplexer 71 and modulator 81 to provide a second of eight programchannels in transport channel 91. Lastly, program 108 is applied to MPEGencoder 68, multiplexer 71 and modulator 81 to provide the eighth ofeight program channels in transport channel 91. Transport channel 91 iscarried in a different portion of the RF spectrum than that used tocarry transport channel 41.

Using MPEG compression, CATV systems installed today can transmit up to10 channels of video in the 6 MHz bandwidth of a single analog transportchannel. When combined with a 550 MHz overall bandwidth, this allows thepossibility of nearly 1,000 program channels on a system.

Each of the prior art program channels is arranged in a transportchannel in a numerical sequence in accordance with its assigned slot ina channel lineup. As further illustrated in FIG. 1, program 1 has a 22%likelihood of being tuned or viewed by a subscriber, program 2 has a 1%likelihood of being tuned or viewed by a subscriber and program 8 has a1% likelihood of being tuned or viewed by a subscriber. Thus, transportchannel 41 is carrying at least three program channels with differentlikelihoods of being tuned or viewed by a subscriber to the service.More importantly, program 102 has an 18% likelihood of being tuned orviewed, program 108 has a 12% likelihood of being tuned or viewed andprogram 101 has a 3% likelihood of being tuned or viewed. Thus, there isa higher likelihood that a subscriber will select a tuning operationthat will require a local tuner to acquire a carrier signal from adifferent transport channel due to known or predicated viewing habits.

Satellite distribution services include direct broadcast to the viewer,broadcast to local television affiliates for radio-frequencydistribution, or broadcast to CATV head ends for distribution across theabove-described terrestrial CATV systems. Regardless of the satelliteconfiguration, an uplink signal containing multiplexed program channelsis broadcast from a ground station in one portion of the RF spectrumwhere it is received by a satellite and re-broadcast via a downlinksignal in another portion of the RF spectrum.

Subscribers of CATV and satellite services use one or more tunersconfigured to lock on to the carrier frequency of the transport channel50 and down-convert the signals to baseband signals. Appropriatelyconfigured demodulators demodulate the baseband signals to extract theunderlying program content. The multimedia signal demodulated by thedemodulators contains a plurality of multiplexed multimedia streams,each containing the program content from a single cable or satellite“channel” (e.g., HBO).

Subscribers experience a delay as they select or tune program channels.The delays are due to multiple factors including tuning time betweenmultiplexed transport channels, demodulation processing, MPEG decodingand in some cases decryption processing of encrypted content.

The placement of program content on a select program channel isgenerally dictated by service providers and in some cases by contentproviders with a desire to be located in a specific range of the channellineup. Some service providers group premium channels in a first rangeof the channel lineup and content specific program channels such aschannels that provide sports programming in another range of the channellineup.

A subscriber's experience can be adversely affected by such logicallyarranged channel lineups. For example, a family of viewers thatsubscribe to a multimedia service may include viewers with disparate butpredictable viewing habits. Children may frequently watch offerings froma select group of program content providers that are transported via afirst multiplex of program channels. One or more adults in the home mayfrequently watch offerings from a number of other program contentproviders that are transported via additional multiplexes of programchannels. For these subscribers, the time it takes their tuner to moveto a new carrier signal and acquire a select program channel (i.e., thechannel change time) when the subscriber's tuner is presently tuned to acarrier signal that delivers a first multiplex of program channels andthe subscriber selects a “new” channel that is provided by a differentcarrier signal that includes a second multiplex of program channels willbe longer than if the program channels were delivered via the samemultiplex.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to develop systems and methods thatovercome these shortcomings in the random or logical arrangement ofprogram channels in a channel lineup.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods that selectively arrange a set of program channelsinto a multiplexed transport channel are invented and disclosed. Anembodiment of a content distribution system includes a distributioncenter, a head-end processor, a switch, and first and secondmultiplexers. The distribution center receives and applies programcontent on program channels. The head-end processor identifies subsetsof the program channels in response to a respective score associatedwith the program channels. The switch couples the distribution center tothe multiplexers. The switch applies program channels to respectiveinputs of the first and second multiplexers in response to the processorin accordance with the respective scores.

An embodiment of a method for optimizing a multiplexed transport channelincludes the steps of identifying a set of program channels designatedfor distribution via the multiplexed transport channel, arranging theset of program channels in subsets, the program channels within a subsetgrouped in accordance with a viewing score, multiplexing the programchannels of the subsets to a respective transport channel and applyingthe respective transport channels to a distribution medium for deliveryto the destination.

Other devices, methods, features and advantages will be or will becomeapparent to one skilled in the art upon examination of the followingfigures and detailed description. All such additional devices, methods,features and advantages are defined and protected by the accompanyingclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present systems and methods for optimizing a multiplexed transportchannel, as defined in the claims, can be better understood withreference to the following drawings. The components within the drawingsare not necessarily to scale relative to each other; emphasis instead isplaced upon clearly illustrating the elements, features and principlesinvolved in selectively arranging program channels in a multiplexedtransport channel to reduce the likelihood that a tuning operation willrequire the acquisition of a carrier in a different multiplexedtransport channel.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the insertion of programchannels into multiplexed transport channels.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an embodiment of adistribution network.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating embodiments ofswitch arrays inserted in the signal processing paths of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the head-endprocessor of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method foroptimizing the arrangement of program channels for delivery via amultiplexed transport channel.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of multiplexedtransport channels that are optimized to reduce switching time betweenfrequently viewed program channels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, like reference numerals indicate likecomponents to enhance the understanding of the systems, devices andmethods for optimizing multiplexed transport channels through thedetailed description of the illustrated embodiments. Although specificfeatures, configurations and arrangements are discussed herein below, itshould be understood that such specificity is for illustrative purposesonly. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that othersteps, configurations and arrangements are useful within the scope ofthe claimed systems and methods.

A head-end processor selectively arranges a subset of program channelsbased on a viewing score for application at respective inputs of amultiplexer to create a modified multiplexed transport channel. Theviewing score reflects the likelihood that a subscriber will view theprogram content provided on the program channel. The likelihood could bedetermined based on surveys or actual viewing statistics collected at acommon network node to arrange a channel lineup for a community, at aselect tuner for a family or co-located group of viewers and under someconditions, for each specific viewer. By arranging a subset of programchannels that are more likely to be viewed into a single multiplexedtransport channel, the subscriber experiences a reduced likelihood thata program content selection change will result in the need for the tunerto acquire a carrier from a different multiplexed transport channel.Consequently, the subscriber experiences a reduction in channel changetimes.

Having generally described operation of the systems and methods foroptimizing a multiplexed transport channel, various additionalembodiments will be described with respect to FIGS. 2-6. FIG. 2 is afunctional block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a distributionnetwork. Distribution network 100 includes a content source 110, asatellite 115, a distribution center 120, community 140, sub-community150, sub-community 160 and sub-community 170. Content source 110 sendsone or more channels of programming information via RF uplink 112 tosatellite 115. In turn, satellite 115 receives the one or more channelsof program information and forwards one or more of the same via RFdownlink 117 to distribution center 120. RF uplink 112 and RF downlink117 are in different portions of the RF spectrum to reduce interferencebetween the uplink and downlink signals.

Distribution center 120 receives the program information via RF downlink117 and arranges and or buffers the same for delivery to subscriberslocated in community 140, which is coupled to distribution center 120via node 130. In the illustrated embodiment, community 140 furtherincludes sub-community 150, which is served by node 134, sub-community160, which is served by node 136 and sub-community 170, which is servedby node 132.

Sub-community 150 includes subscriber premise 152, subscriber premise154 and subscriber premise 156. Each of subscriber premise 152,subscriber premise 154 and subscriber premise 156 is a single familyhome or an individual unit in a multiple unit dwelling. Each ofsubscriber premise 152, subscriber premise 154 and subscriber premise156 is configured with one or more tuners or set top boxes for selectingan identified program channel from a channel lineup. Furthermore, eachsubscriber, family of subscribers, grouped units of unrelatedsubscribers, family member or the individual members of unrelatedsubscribers may have distinct viewing habits, which include thefrequency of selecting any one of the available program channels fromthe channel lineup provided by distribution center 120.

Sub-community 160 includes subscriber premise 162, subscriber premise164 and subscriber premise 166. Each of subscriber premise 162,subscriber premise 164 and subscriber premise 166 is a single familyhome or an individual unit in a multiple unit dwelling. Each ofsubscriber premise 162, subscriber premise 164 and subscriber premise166 is configured with one or more tuners or set top boxes for selectingan identified program channel from a channel lineup. As in sub-community150, each subscriber, family of subscribers, grouped units of unrelatedsubscribers, family member or the individual members of unrelatedsubscribers may have distinct viewing habits, which include thefrequency of selecting any one of the available program channels fromthe channel lineup provided by distribution center 120.

Sub-community 170 includes subscriber premise 172 and subscriber premise174. Each of subscriber premise 172 and subscriber premise 174 is asingle family home or an individual unit in a multiple unit dwelling.Each of subscriber premise 172 and subscriber premise 174 configuredwith one or more tuners or set top boxes for selecting an identifiedprogram channel from a channel lineup. As in sub-community 150 andsub-community 160, each subscriber, family of subscribers, grouped unitsof unrelated subscribers, family member or the individual members ofunrelated subscribers may have distinct viewing habits, which includethe frequency of selecting any one of the available program channelsfrom the channel lineup provided by distribution center 120.

Regardless of the nature of the individual customer premise, eachcustomer premise can serve a single subscriber, a family of subscribersor multiple unrelated subscribers at each subscriber premise. Thesub-community as a whole and each subscriber, family of subscribers,grouped units of unrelated subscribers or the individual members of afamily or unit of unrelated subscribers may have distinct viewinghabits, which include the frequency of selecting any one of theavailable program channels from the channel lineup provided bydistribution center 120. These viewing habits, whether predicted frompast viewing statistics, surveys or other predictive methods ordetermined from actual tuner selections at any level can be used todevelop a measure or score responsive to the likelihood that anidentified program channel will be selected or tuned.

Distribution center 120 includes a head-end processor 400, whicharranges the various program channels used to deliver the programinformation into assigned multiplexed transport channels. Head-endprocessor 400 is configured to arrange the various program channels inan optimal manner based upon a score associated with each of the programchannels. In this way, the head-end processor uses a score responsive topredicted or actual viewing habits of a community 140, sub-community150, sub-community 160, or sub-community 170 to create a modifiedchannel lineup. The modified channel lineup can be generatedperiodically or aperiodically in response to a channel viewing scorepredicted or measured for community 140, sub-community 150,sub-community 160, sub-community 170 and in situations where subscribershave a commandable tuner or set top box and a mechanism exists toidentify members of a family of subscribers or individual members of anunrelated group, the viewing score may be predicted or determined on anindividual viewer basis.

The program information is distributed via a number of multiplexedcarrier signals along fiber optic, coaxial cables or other distributionmedia to the various subscribers of the service via node 130, node 132,node 134 and node 136. Because each of the distribution network nodes islike a head-end from the perspective of subscriber homes, each of node130, node 132, node 134 and node 136 could be used to communicate amodified channel lineup to tuners or set top boxes located in subscriberpremises downstream from distribution center 120. Moreover, head-endprocessor 400 could be inserted at each of node 130, node 132, node 134or node 136 to generate an optimized channel lineup for the varioussubscribers coupled to the nodes.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating embodiments ofswitch arrays inserted in the signal processing paths of FIG. 1. In FIG.3A, switch array 310 is configured with inputs 302 for receiving programchannels 1-X and outputs 304 for forwarding select program channels toselect MPEG encoders 1-X. Switch array 310 forwards the programinformation on a select program channel to an input coupled to a selectMPEG encoder in accordance with one or more signals received alongcommand bus 305. The command bus 305 may be further configured to returnone or more status conditions responsive to the state of the switcharray 310.

In FIG. 3B, switch array 320 is configured with inputs 306 for receivingencoded program channels 1-X from the MPEG encoders and outputs 308 forforwarding select encoded program channels to select multiplexer inputs.Switch array 320 forwards the encoded program information on a selectencoded program channel to an input coupled to a select multiplexerinput in accordance with one or more signals received along command bus315. The command bus 315 may be further configured to return one or morestatus conditions responsive to the state of the switch array 320.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the head-endprocessor 400 of FIG. 2. Generally, in terms of hardware architecture,the head-end processor 400 includes a hardware processor 410, a memory420, a power supply 430, an input/output or I/O interface 440, a switchinterface 450, as well as a local interface 460. Processor 410 is incommunication with the memory 420 via the local interface 460. The localinterface 460 can be, for example but not limited to, one or more busesor other wired or wireless connections, as is known in the art. Thelocal interface 460 may have additional elements, such as controllers,buffers (caches), drivers, repeaters, and receivers, to enablecommunications. Further, the local interface 460 may include address,control, power and/or data connections to enable appropriatecommunications among the aforementioned components.

The processor 410 is a hardware device for executing software,particularly that stored in memory device 420. The processor 410 can beany custom made or commercially available processor configured toexecute software instructions.

The memory 420 can include any one or a combination of volatile memoryelements (e.g., random-access memory (RAM), such as dynamicrandom-access memory (DRAM), static random-access memory (SRAM),synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM), etc.) and nonvolatilememory elements (e.g., read-only memory (ROM), hard drive, tape, compactdisk read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc.). Moreover, the memory 420 mayincorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storagemedia. The memory 420 can have a distributed architecture, where variouscomponents are situated remote from one another, but still accessiblevia the processor 410.

The memory 420 includes an operating system 421 that essentiallycontrols the execution of the illustrated functions and perhapsadditional functions such as scheduling, input-output control, file anddata management, memory management, communication control and relatedservices. One or more programs, each of which comprises an orderedlisting of executable instructions for implementing logical functionscan be stored in the memory 420. In the illustrated embodiment, memory420 includes sorting logic 424 and command generator 425.

Sorting logic 424 is a program that identifies the program channels insequence from the program channel with the highest viewing score to thelowest viewing score. Sorting logic 424 is configured to perform thistask on an individual, set top box (i.e., family or unrelated group),sub-community or community level as may be desired. Sorting logic 424retrieves information from lineup store 422 and score store 423 andapplies the logic stored therein under the direction of one or moreconfiguration parameters from configuration store 426.

Command generator 425 is a program that generates commands that directthe switch arrays 320 to apply switch inputs to select switch outputs toenable identified subsets of program channels. That is, the commandgenerator directs the switch arrays 320 to apply a select subset of theavailable program channels to a particular transport channel.

When implemented as source programs, the sorting logic 424 and commandgenerator 425 are translated via a compiler, assembler, interpreter, orthe like, to operate properly in connection with the operating system421.

Switch interface 450 performs signal conditioning and data formatconversions to enable communication through one or more implementationsof switch array 310 or switch array 320. Switch interface 450 formats,buffers and sends commands. In addition, switch interface 450 receivesand buffers switch array status information from coupled switch arrays.

I/O interface 440 performs signal conditioning and data formatconversions to enable communication through a host of devices. Thesedevices may include browsers or other software (not shown) configured toexpose configuration parameters, data tables and other information toexternal devices. Moreover, the devices may include man-machineinterfaces such as a keyboard, a display, a printer, etc. Suchman-machine interfaces may include touch sensitive displays or thecombination of a graphical-user interface and a controllable pointingdevice such as a mouse to enable an operator to configure or otherwisemodify configuration parameters, channel lineups, channel scores,sorting logic 424 or command generator 425.

When instructions and data elements are implemented in software itshould be noted that these software elements can be stored on anycomputer-readable medium for use by or in connection with any computerrelated system or method. In the context of this document, a“computer-readable medium” can be any means that can store, communicate,propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with theinstruction execution system, apparatus, or device. Thecomputer-readable medium can be, for example but not limited to, anelectronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, orsemiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readablemedium would include the following: an electrical connection(electronic) having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette(magnetic), a RAM (electronic), a ROM (electronic), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), or Flash memory) (electronic),an optical fiber (optical), and a CDROM (optical). Note that thecomputer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable mediumupon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronicallycaptured, for instance, via optical scanning of the paper or othermedium, then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in a suitablemanner if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.

In an alternative embodiment, where one or more of instructions operablewithin head-end processor 400 are implemented in hardware, theinstructions can be implemented with any or a combination of thefollowing technologies, which are each well known in the art: a discretelogic circuit(s) having logic gates for implementing logic functionsupon data signals, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)having appropriate combinational logic gates, a programmable gatearray(s) (PGA), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method foroptimizing a multiplexed transport channel. The flow diagram of FIG. 5shows the architecture, functionality, and operation of a possibleimplementation via software and or firmware associated withcommunicatively coupled devices. In this regard, each block represents amodule, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or moreexecutable instructions for implementing the specified function(s).

Method 500 begins with block 510 where a set of program channelsdesignated for distribution via a multiplexed transport channel areidentified. Thereafter, in block 520, subsets of the program channelsare arranged in accordance with a viewing score. Next, in block 530, thesubsets of the program channels are multiplexed to respective transportchannels. In block 540, the respective transport channels are applied todistribution media for delivery to subscribers. In alternative block550, the modified channel lineup information is sent to subscribers.

As described above, the flow diagram of FIG. 5 shows the architecture,functionality and operation of an implementation of an example methodfor optimizing a multiplexed transport channel. The described functionscan be embodied in source code including human-readable statementswritten in a programming language or machine code that comprisesinstructions recognizable by a suitable execution system such as aprocessor in a computer system. The machine code may be converted fromthe source code, etc. If embodied in hardware, each block may representa circuit or a number of interconnected circuits to implement thespecified logical function(s).

A system for broadcasting multimedia signals is illustrated in FIG. 6.System 600 receives a set of program channels available in a contentpackage made available to subscribers of a service. The system 600optimizes a channel lineup to reduce switching time between frequentlyviewed program channels by placing program channels with a higherlikelihood of being tuned or viewed by a subscriber into the samemultiplexed transport channel. The system 600 receives program channel 1through program channel 108 that are inserted into corresponding MPEGencoders. The various outputs of the MPEG encoders are switched via acontrollable switch array 320 to generate a first subset 604 of Nprogram channels such that each of the N inputs of multiplexer 621receive one of the program channels from the first subset 604.Additional outputs of MPEG encoders are also switched via controllableswitch array 320 n to generate a n^(th) subset 606 of M program channelssuch that each of the M inputs of multiplexer 671 receive one of the Mprogram channels from the n^(th) subset 606.

In the illustrated embodiment, program 1, associated with a viewingscore 602 of 22%, is applied to MPEG encoder 611, switch array 320,multiplexer 621 and modulator 631 to provide the first of N programchannels in transport channel 641. The viewing score 602 is a measure ofthe likelihood of a program channel being tuned or viewed by asubscriber during a viewing session. Similarly, program 102, associatedwith a viewing score of 18%, is applied to MPEG encoder 612, switcharray 320, multiplexer 621 and modulator 631 to provide a second of Nprogram channels in transport channel 641. In addition, program 108,having a viewing score of 12%, is applied to MPEG encoder 618, switcharray 320, multiplexer 621 and modulator 631 to provide the N−1^(th)program channel in transport channel 641. Lastly, program 101, having aviewing score of 3%, is applied to MPEG encoder 619, switch array 320,multiplexer 621 and modulator 631 to provide the N^(th) of N programchannels in transport channel 641.

As further illustrated in FIG. 6, program 2, associated with a viewingscore of 1%, is applied to MPEG encoder 661, switching array 320 ^(n),multiplexer 671 and modulator 681 to provide the first of M programchannels in transport channel 691. Similarly, program 8, having aviewing score of 1%, is applied to MPEG encoder 662, switch array 320^(n), multiplexer 671 and modulator 681 to provide the second of Mprogram channels in transport channel 691. Lastly, program 605 isapplied to MPEG encoder 668, switching array 320 ^(n), multiplexer 671and modulator 681 to provide the M^(th) of M program channels intransport channel 691. Transport channel 691 is carried in a differentportion of the RF spectrum than that used to carry transport channel641.

In the illustrated embodiment, switch array 320 under the control ofhead-end processor 400 via command bus 315, arranges each of the programchannels with the highest N viewing scores 602 into subset 604 to createa modified transport channel 641 that includes those program channelsthat contain the program information with the highest likelihood to beviewed. Additional switch arrays including switch array 320 ^(n) arealso under the control of head-end processor 400 via respective commandbusses such as command bus 315 ^(n). As further shown in the illustratedembodiment, the program channels are arranged in order from the highestviewing score to the lowest viewing score, with the M channels havingthe lowest viewing scores being arranged in subset 604 to createmodified transport channel 691.

The foregoing description has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the scope of the claims to the precise forms disclosed.Modifications or variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings. The embodiments discussed, however, were chosen and describedto enable one of ordinary skill to utilize various embodiments of thepresent systems and methods. All such modifications and variations arewithin the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordancewith the breadth to which they are fairly and legally entitled.

1. A content distribution system, comprising: a distribution centerconfigured to receive and apply program content on a set of programchannels; a head-end processor configured to selectively identifysubsets of the program channels in accordance with a respective scoreassociated with the plurality of program channels; and a multi-channelswitch coupled to the distribution center, a first multiplexer and asecond multiplexer, the multi-channel switch configured to apply programchannels to respective inputs of the first multiplexer and the secondmultiplexer in response to the head-end processor; wherein the head-endprocessor selectively identifies the subsets of the program channelsbased on scores responsive to the likelihood that a channel change at adestination will require a tuner to select a program channel that wasprocessed by the other of the first multiplexer and the secondmultiplexer.
 2. The content distribution system of claim 1, wherein thehead-end processor selectively identifies the subsets of the programchannels based on scores responsive to the likelihood that the programcontent will be viewed.
 3. The content distribution system of claim 1,wherein the head-end processor selectively identifies the subsets of theprogram channels into a subset of N members, where N is an integer thatcorresponds to the capacity of the first multiplexer.
 4. The contentdistribution system of claim 1, wherein the head-end processorselectively identifies the subsets of the program channels into a subsetof M members, where M is an integer that corresponds to the capacity ofthe second multiplexer.
 5. The content distribution system of claim 1,wherein the head-end processor selectively identifies the subsets of theprogram channels in response to a statistical analysis of viewinghabits.
 6. The content distribution system of claim 1, wherein thehead-end processor selectively identifies the subsets of the programchannels in response to aggregated data for a community.
 7. The contentdistribution system of claim 6, wherein the aggregated data from acommunity is collected from a community served by a common node in adistribution network.
 8. The content distribution system of claim 1,wherein the head-end processor selectively identifies the subsets of theprogram channels periodically.
 9. The content distribution system ofclaim 1, wherein the head-end processor selectively identifies thesubsets of the program channels aperiodically.